The Greatest Boxer ever - - - Yes. -- --------- Athlete of the Century - - - Yes.

But most of all, a Global Ambassador for Freedom and Peace.

Muhammad Ali was the Celebrity Chairperson for the "Hear My Voice" fundraiser for orphaned children. A "Magic Theme" was chosen for that special evening as that was Muhammad's secret passion. Artist Ron Proulx was commissioned to do a one-of a-kind animatronic art piece as a gift for Ali. On that magical evening in Chicago, Ron privately unveiled the art piece with Lonnie Ali, but it was not a boxing art piece as might be expected. Ron had created a unique magical art piece presenting Ali as a master magician, with Houdini by his side and Howard Cosell as the Master of ceremonies. The computerized 3-D art piece came to life as a miniaturized Howard Cosell opened the show. At that point, overwhelmed with the nostalgic atmosphere being created by the art piece, Ali's twin daughters, Jamilla and Rasheeda broke into tears and said "Daddy, look, it's Howard Cosell". From then on tears started flowing throughout the room as the "Athlete of the Century" showed his emotional side and not a dry pair of eyes could be found . Ali was now traveling back in time through the "Magic of Ali" art piece. The animatronic extravaganza continued as the miniature magician wielded his wand and Cosell announced one magical feat after another with the Muhammad Ali theme song being summoned in the last act of magic.

As the show came to an end, Ali gave ron a big hug and a thank you. That evening, the monies collected fell short of the goal. Muhammad leaned over to one of his group and within minutes several large boxes were brought into the banquet hall. An assistant reached into a box and started pulling out boxing gloves, shorts and robes. Ali started signing them until the full amount was raised. And at the very end in an act of joy, Ali said he was going to auction off an original poem and did so.

What a magical night